GHS softball falls 2-0 to North Salinas
GILROY – Gilroy ace Jennifer Olvera and North Salinas star Monica Abbott duked it out on the mound in Tuesday’s home finale at Gilroy High – but only one of them came out with a win in the extra-inning thriller.
For the fourth time this season (third in T-CAL), Abbott won by a slim advantage as the Lady Mustangs fell 2-0 in nine innings.
“(Olvera) did great. She always pitches a great game,” said head coach Julie Berggren, despite the unfavorable result. “It was hard not getting this win for her.”
The Lady Mustangs only produced two hits off Abbott. Senior Cherise Martinez ripped a two-out shot to left field in the first inning for a double. But her teammates were unable to take advantage of the situation.
Olvera got into some trouble in the top of the third inning as she walked the lead-off batter and allowed a runner to advance to third base. The cagey veteran then struck out the next batter to get herself out the jam.
Gilroy had another chance in the bottom of the third when Olvera was walked with two outs. Olvera, however, ended the inning when she was caught trying to steal second.
The garlic girls went down in order for the next three innings, as they are unable to get to Abbott. Senior Jenna Daughtery broke that cycle when she singled to left field with one out in the seventh frame. Gilroy wasn’t able to produce any runs, though as junior catcher Bria DeLorenzo popped out to right for the second out and Daugherty got caught stealing.
Olvera got herself into another jam in the top of the ninth inning as she walked the lead-off batter once again. Two runners were on after an infield hit and then Olvera walked the bases loaded. North Salinas finally took advantage of the scoring opportunity – belting a two-run shot to left.
“I pitched pretty good. I was a little shaky at first but it wore off as we got into the innings,” Olvera said. “We all did awesome. We played with heart and didn’t leave anything out.”
Senior centerfielder Laura Hennessee and Olvera both struck out to start Gilroy’s last licks. Then, senior seconed baseman Dallas Hernandez kept the Lady Mustang hopes alive by reaching first base on an error. But Martinez whiffed to end the game.
“We really wanted this game,” DeLorenzo said. “We wanted it for the seniors.”
The season isn’t over for the Lady Mustangs (13-14 overall) yet as they face Live Oak on Thursday at 4 p.m. A win will give them a .500 record and a chance to make the CCS Playoffs.
“It’s no good to lose on senior night,” Hernandez said. “We just have to focus on our next game to get into CCS.”
